Archives for February 2012

A Plus Tax is a unique professional services firm that provides “superior” business development, financial packaging, accounting, tax preparation and resolution assistance and office support. We possess highly seasoned development, accounting and tax associates that hold degrees in business and accounting. We are affordable, effective and committed to the goal of providing total satisfaction to our customers. To date, members of the A Plus Tax team have completed company development, program development, assistance with construction management and accounting, financial packaging as well as monthly accounting service engagements for small to medium size companies and organizations. Client companies would include local telephone companies, a fitness center, restaurants, churches, retail operations, contractors, sports leagues, an engineering company and several large day cares and group homes to name a few.

The company opened in November of 1999 and was originally located at 10045 West Lisbon Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI. The company remained at that location until November 2004.

Owner and one of our accountants, Marilyn Mitchell, has held accounting management positions at both Miller Brewing Company and Lisbon Avenue Neighborhood Development, a non profit organization located in central city Milwaukee. Five years were spent working as an accounting consultant at Jefferson Wells International in addition to the management positions. Tax preparation experience included positions at Godfrey and Kahn SC and Quarles LLP and Brady law firms as well as eight years at Acc-u-rite Tax Service that was formerly located on 41st and North Avenue.

A Plus Tax has in house associates as well as alignments with other necessary professionals to complete every aspect of the business development process when needed. These collaborations give A Plus Tax the strength and ability to function as one of the full service business development services company that is so desperately needed as we strive for and take part in economic development in many areas of the community.

The team at A Plus Tax recognizes the importance of laying the proper groundwork in order to present a clear business development picture at all times. We are here to assist you in laying the groundwork by providing tools necessary to meet this goal.

As an additional and ongoing service, we would research and provide you with the latest information regarding agency and business reporting requirements, possible grant sources, employee reporting requirements, advertising and promotions if applicable and of course tax and financial issues as it relates to your business/organization type.

We have an open door policy with our clients, this statement simply means that, whatever your problem, whatever your thought, contact us, we can help.

A Plus Tax’s flexibility allows you to stop the project at any point in time allowing you to control the scope, duration and timing of our services.

An experienced tax professional that has prepared over 10,000 tax returns over a 20 year period and as a team collectively prepare about 700 personal and business tax returns each year.

Experienced team members that have assisted 50 plus small businesses in either initial business start up or other areas of business development that include but are not limited to business plan preparation, assistance with obtaining licensing and completion of county funding applications.

Experienced team members who have assisted a number of clients in organizing supporting documentation for IRS and independent audits. Preparation of IRS correspondence and response documentation.

The Hours of Operation are:

Tax Season Hours January 17 through April 17, 2012:

Monday – Friday 9:00am – 8:00pm

Saturday 9:00am – 3:00pm

Regular Office Hours

Monday – Friday 9:00am – 6:00pm

Other times by appointment

Please contact our office to discuss your business needs or to set up a tax preparation appointment at 414.461.3312. We look forward to working with you.

Milwaukee high school students with aspirations to work in health care took a hands-on trip to their futures last week.

Nearly two dozen students from James Madison Academic Campus, an MPS charter high school, visited the Medical College of Wisconsin as part of their participation in Milwaukee Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Youth Health Service Corps (YHSC) program.

AHEC, a national program, aims to improve the health of individuals and communities by transforming health care through education. A mentor program, in part, the goal is to identify students interested in health careers and assist them in bridging the gap between their career aspirations and realization of those careers.

Medical students at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) choose an educational “pathway” as part of their education. Randal Harris, a third year medical student, and Lauren Splittberger and Ginger Smith, both second year students, are enrolled in the Urban and Community Health Pathway. The three lead the partnership program between MCW and AHEC, which involves mentoring students at James Madison High School, arranging visits from health professionals, and setting up hands-on instruction opportunities for the high school students.

“We want to positively impact the choices in these students’ lives,” said Harris, a Detroit native. “If you don’t have the resources, it can be challenging. This program is designed to open the doors to opportunities.”

During their trip to the Medical College’s STAR center, a training resource in which medical students have the opportunity to diagnose and treat simulated, computer-programmed “patients,” the students from James Madison listened to beating hearts, took blood pressure readings, examined damaged eyes and diagnosed ear infections.

Bria Outlaw, a 17-year old senior at James Madison, said she was surprised at the high level of technicality in the standardized patients, and found the program engaging.

“This helps me on the path to accomplish my goals,” Outlaw said. “I see more women and minorities in health care, which is good, but we still have a long way to go.”

Outlaw, who is currently applying to local colleges, plans to become a dentist.

Other students in the program aspire to become physicians, registered nurses, physicians’ assistants, certified nursing assistants, and other, specialized fields such as radiologic technicians.

In addition to participating in the AHEC education program, the YHSC students take part in volunteer projects that address community health needs.

Suzanne Letellier, the program manager for Milwaukee AHEC, said the program helps build connections to the community.

“Volunteering serves many needs for these students, and the community in which they work. They get real-life exposure to their desired fields, their confidence grows, and they network with mentors who can help them realize their goals,” Letellier said.

Milwaukee AHEC started its YHSC program in the fall of 2007 and it has since grown exponentially. A total of 78 at three high schools and one community center volunteer in hospital and health clinic sites as well as community health outreach projects.

Mary Ellen Lalleo teaches the “Occupations in Health Care” classes at John Madison. She said her students all have a real passion for health care, and that the partnership with the Medical College’s medical students in the Urban and Community Pathway, is a win-win.

“The medical students are meeting every month with our kids, and really taking them along their journey,” said Lalleo.

The disparity in health care extends beyond those seeking care. The American Association of Medical Colleges reported that in 2008, African Americans accounted for 16 percent of the U.S. population, but only six percent of physicians. Racial and ethnic minority practitioners are more likely to practice in medically underserved areas, serving a population who are uninsured and underinsured. Which is why, said Dr. Linda Meurer, the director of the Urban and Community Pathway at MCW, community partnerships are crucial.

“The pathway links education with community needs to address disparities in healthcare access and quality in urban settings, and health conditions that disproportionately affect urban, underserved populations,” said Dr. Meurer.

Dr. Meurer explained the goals of the pathway include developing educational strategies to promote healthy behaviors in individuals and communities, and partnering with public health and community agencies to meet healthcare needs.

“Our medical students get to know the community through working with the kids. They learn how to create age and culturally relevant educational materials and collaborate with schools and area agencies, while also serving to teach and inspire the next generation of health care professionals in those underserved communities,” Dr. Meurer added.

For more information about Milwaukee AHEC and the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Urban and Community Pathway program, visit:

YLA Developments Continue to Strengthen School and Ensure Academic Excellence

The YMCA Young Leaders Academy Charter School announced today the promotion of Trina Gandy to Principal of the YMCA Young Leaders Academy (YLA) effective immediately. Ms. Gandy’s responsibilities will include managing the day-to-day operations of the school.

Ms. Gandy was one of the first YLA faculty members when the school opened its doors 10 years ago, and she has played an integral role in the school’s tremendous success over the past decade. She holds two master’s degrees and is currently pursuing her doctorate at UW-Madison. In addition to her experience as a classroom teacher, Trina has served in various school administration roles. During Ms. Gandy’s tenure as Dean of Academic Affairs, the test scores for YLA students increased every year. Most recently, Trina has served as an assistant principal to Ronn Johnson, where she has excelled in managing the school’s day-to-day operations.

“For the past ten years our YMCA Young Leaders Academy is committed to educating students through a rigorous curriculum, by setting high expectations and by implementing a character-based approach to learning,” said Ronn Johnson, Vice President of Charter Education for the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. “We have the utmost confidence that Ms. Gandy will drive continued success for YLA and enhance what already is a stellar reputation for our charter school.”

The promotion of Ms. Gandy will allow Ronn Johnson to focus his time and energy on his role as the Vice President of Charter Education for the Y. Mr. Johnson’s reputation as an experienced and effective educator positions him extremely well to lead the Y’s strategy in charter education, to deliver the best in curriculum enhancements and to ensure our students are performing at the highest levels in the state.

YLA will celebrate Ms. Gandy’s promotion with the YLA community at a special transitions ceremony on Wednesday, February 12 at 1 p.m. in the YLA Gymnasium.

The Young Leaders Academy is one of the higher performing elementary schools in the city of Milwaukee with 93 percent of the eighth grade students performing at the proficient or advanced level in reading and 63 percent in mathematics. Students attending YLA consistently outperform their peers in the Milwaukee Public Schools. Overall combined students in scored at 80 percent in reading proficiency and 71 percent mathematics proficiency.

The YMCA Young Leaders Academy is a public, free charter school serving children in grades K4 through 8. The unique culture of YLA helps students achieve academic success while developing strong leaders.

Now available online; school principals can request paper copies for parents unable to access electronic survey

Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Gregory Thornton is inviting parents and community members to share their spending priorities through an online budget survey now available on the district website.

Those who take the survey will be asked to, among other things, share the value they see in programs the district provides for children outside of core instructional subjects. The listing of programs on the survey does not mean they are targeted for cuts.

Survey-takers have the option of asking the Superintendent a question about the budget or the budget process. Dr. Thornton will post answers on the budget website to some of the most frequently-asked questions as the process moves forward.

As it stands now, the Superintendent¹s budget proposal calls for a boost to art, music and physical education through new minimum standards for the number of specialist teachers in each school. That boost would be paid for through further cuts at MPS Central Services.

“Those cuts would be painful, but we think they¹re needed to shield schools from as much pain as possible,” Dr. Thornton said.

The budget proposal also calls for greater efficiency through centrally funding services such as safety and special education.

Total school operations spending for 2012-13 is expected to be roughly in line with the current year spending of roughly $944 million.

School budgets for next year will be impacted by increased fixed costs, such as utilities, along with some increased employee costs including a contractual 3% raise for teachers, who are the district¹s largest group of employees.

MPS is beginning to see savings from changes made in the fall to employee benefits, but the bulk of those savings are expected to come beginning with the 2013-14 school year.

The Superintendent is scheduled to provide his complete budget proposal for 2012-13 in an April 2012 session of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors.

The Board will review and discuss the proposal and is expected to pass a 2012-13 budget in June.